Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential race while criticizing progressive policies and calling for practical solutions to the NYC migrant crisis.
At a Glance
- Cuomo praised Vice President Kamala Harris as a “star” for the 2024 presidential race
- He criticized progressive policies and emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement
- Cuomo addressed the migrant crisis in NYC, calling for greater federal and state intervention
- The former governor urged voters to prioritize practical solutions over political ideology
Cuomo’s Endorsement and Critique of Progressive Policies
During a speech at Bedford Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made headlines by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential race. Cuomo praised Harris, calling her a “star” and highlighting her experience as a U.S. Senator and Attorney General. However, he cautioned that merely electing Harris wouldn’t solve deep-seated governmental issues.
Cuomo took aim at progressive policies, particularly criticizing the “defund the police” movement. He emphasized the need for respectful and well-trained police officers, stating, “Crime discriminates on the basis of race, on the basis of income, on the basis of age.” This stance aligns with his call for practical solutions over ideological approaches.
“I don’t know why it took us so long to settle on Vice President Kamala Harris,”
NYC Migrant Crisis and Call for Federal Intervention
A significant portion of Cuomo’s speech addressed the ongoing migrant crisis in New York City. He criticized the federal government’s response, noting the substantial financial burden placed on the city. Emergency spending for asylum seekers in New York has already exceeded $1 billion, with plans to allocate $4.3 billion through 2025-26.
Cuomo argued that these funds could be better used for public safety, affordable housing, and education. He called for greater federal and state intervention to address the crisis, echoing concerns raised by current NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Over the past two years, more than 200,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, with over 60,000 under the city’s care.
“It’s about what you need and the help that you need,”
Political Landscape and Call for Practical Solutions
Cuomo’s speech highlighted the complex political landscape surrounding the migrant crisis and the upcoming elections. He called on both Republicans and Democrats to address issues of fairness, justice, education, housing, and public safety. The former governor expressed skepticism about the Republican Party’s attentiveness to these needs and saw an opportunity for the Democratic Party to reset itself.
The migrant crisis is not of NYC’s making — it’s past time that the state and federal governments step up https://t.co/xkDpaYY32B
— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) March 10, 2024
While Cuomo has been vocal in his support for Harris, other New York Democrats initially showed hesitation. Mayor Eric Adams, for instance, initially refrained from endorsing Harris, emphasizing the importance of following the established process. However, by Monday, Adams expressed support for Harris as the presidential nominee, stating she is the voice the party needs.
“I have a great deal of respect for the vice president, but I think there’s a process in place and we’re going to allow that process to go through,” – Adams told NY1’s Dean Meminger
As the Democratic National Convention approaches next month in Chicago, where Adams will participate as a superdelegate, the party’s stance on key issues like immigration and law enforcement will likely play a crucial role in shaping their platform for the 2024 election.
